News

Hard work with cookie dough sales, gift wrap and other school fundraising activities provided a sweet incentive for Our Lady of the Assumption students this week.
The school kids traded books for back flips as part of a special Madd Gear BMX demonstration on school grounds. Students safely watched Ricky "Macho Man" Mosley, above, soar through the air as he and other professional riders flew upwards, flipping and tucking with precision—to the relief of Principal Bernadette Boyle who bravely played a part in the afternoon’s stunts. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger

With Common Core Standards being put in place for the current school year, the Claremont Unified School District will be holding informational meetings on various campuses. The parents in the community are invited to attend to better understand what the standards mean for their children.
Common core is a list of expectations as to what students should know as they advanced through the grade levels.

Between the well-traveled residents of Pilgrim Place and the Claremont Colleges, the fabric of Claremont is made up of residents with many interesting stories. Nan Miller and Isabelle Teresa Huber are no exception—maybe only in the fact that theirs are available at your local bookstore.
Their 38 years of friendship began as PTA moms, and although their kids are now grown with children of their own, Ms. Miller and Ms. Huber continue to be fast friends. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff

Preparations are underway for Claremont’s 2014-2016 budget cycle.
While economic uncertainties have forced government cutbacks when it comes to social services, Claremont officials are renewing their commitment to funding community programs.
The Claremont City Council continued to drive city interests forward earlier this month by adding its approval to funding for the city’s Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG).

After identifying additional properties available as possible low-income housing sites, City Manager Tony Ramos has expressed his intent to send the Housing Element Update back to the planning commission for a second review.
On January 7, the planning commission approved sending the Housing Element Update to the city council for approval. The announcement that the update will be sent back to the commission will occur at the Tuesday, January 28 city council meeting.

One of the world’s largest steam locomotives, known as ‘Big Boy’, is ready to make tracks to a new home. The steam engine will depart the Fairplex parking lot sometimes during the early morning of Sunday, January 26, to the Colton railyard in order to prepare for a 1200-mile trip.
Retired since December 1961, locomotive No. 4014 will be sent to Cheyenne, Wyoming to be restored. The giant has called the RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona home for over 50 years. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff

It doesn't take much encouragment to ask a politican to shake hands. This clearly was the case for Claremont councilmember Corey Calaycay as he shakes hands with his colleagues at Claremont's State of the City address at the Candlelight Pavilion in Claremont Wednesday. In the photo are Mayor Pro Tem Joe Lyons, right, with councilmembers Larry Schroeder and Sam Pedroza. Check out our complete coverage Thursday. COURIER photo/Peter Weinberger

UPDATED: A passerby stops on Tuesday to look at an impromptu memorial erected for two Upland women who died in an automobile collision early Saturday morning on Foothill Boulevard in Claremont. The victims were identified as Joanna Munoz, 19, and Monique Magana, 20. A third occupant, an 18-year-old female from Upland, was transported to USC Medical Center with moderate injuries. The driver, Artisha Wright, 21, also from Upland, has since been charged with gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence causing injury.

The city of Claremont has begun preparations for its 2014-16 budget. The public is invited to take part in the process. A community budget workshop will be held on Monday, February 3 at the Hughes Center, 1700 Danbury Rd., and on Monday, February 10 at Blaisdell, 440 S. College Ave. Both meetings will begin at 6:30 p.m. At the workshops, city staff will present an overview of the budget and lead discussions among residents on budget priorities. For more information, call (909) 399-5460.

Three students from Claremont High School are leading a “Teens for Jeans” campaign as part of the Fairplex Junior Fair Board team. Seniors Kate DesCombes and Dakota Zuccioni along with Junior Sasha Hough represent CHS as part of this clothing drive.
The number one item requested at homeless shelters is a pair of jeans

The Pomona Valley Toastmasters will be celebrating its 80th anniversary with a celebration to be held on Monday, January 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Manor Hall at the Claremont Manor, 650 W. Harrison Ave.
The public is invited to join in the festivities, which will include refreshments. Tickets are $10 per person by cash or check. RSVP by calling (909) 596-2911.

A fatal accident at 12:52 a.m. Saturday shut Foothill Boulevard in both directions between Dartmouth and Amherst in Claremont. Reports indicate that a black sedan was traveling east on Foothill at a high rate of speed when it left the roadway and collided with an electric pole, losing the right front wheel and spinning into the middle of the street where it came to rest. According to police, there were four people in the vehicle, two of whom died. Two Upland residents, Joanna Munoz, 19, and Monique Magana, 20 died in the crash.The driver, Artisha Wright, 21, of Upland, escaped without assistance, but was injured. Police determined she was driving under the influence of alcohol. An unnamed fourth passenger is currently being treated at USC Medical Center. There have been no criminal charges yet. COURIER photo/Steven Felschundneff

UPDATE 1:45 p.m.: Unconfirmed reports indicate that the search for an injured hiker or hikers has been called off and the park has been reopened. The Claremont Police Department has not provided information, however, sources report that the park is reopened and that the search resulted in no one being located.
The LA County Fire Department has temporarily closed the Claremont Wilderness Park as search and rescue teams work to rescue an unidentified male who fell down the canyon on the Cobalt Canyon side, according to Claremont police.

Unhappy with the city of Claremont’s refusal to provide the details of its water acquisition feasibility study, Golden State Water Company is taking matters to court.
The water company filed a Writ of Mandate with the Los Angeles Superior Court on December 20 to require the city of Claremont to release documents surrounding the financial impact of a water system takeover.
The water company claims the city has not complied with the California Public Records Act.